**spoiler alert** I don’t remember the last time I found a book SO compelling. I was totally emotionally invested in SoT and Jen & Eric’s margin n**spoiler alert** I don’t remember the last time I found a book SO compelling. I was totally emotionally invested in SoT and Jen & Eric’s margin notes. I read it less than a week. I couldn’t put it down… which made the anti-climactic final chapter all the more disappointing.

I read the book by reading a chapter of SoT and then going back and reading the margin notes (and it was really hard not to cheat and read the margin notes!) (This is how Abrams himself recommends reading it). So I finished SoT first. And I was okay with the shaky nature of Chapter 10 because it worked in-so-far as knowing that Filomena made alterations, made it her own, lived out the fantasy she never could with Straka… So when Sola and S. drifted into the sunset and the emphasis was that the mystery didn’t matter and that love was the answer… I thought that made sense for Filomena to do… Though I was disappointed that SO MANY QUESTIONS about S. were left unresolved!! Who was he before he lost his memory?? Was he already involved in all this madness? Who was Sola before that night at the bar? And why did time move different on land and at sea? And really, what was the deal with the monkey?? (Did I miss something there?) I will say that I did start to find SoT a little less compelling once S. became an assassin. Up to that point, I really empathized with him. Once he really seemed to lose it, my interest in his story lessened and I found myself rushing to get back to Jen and Eric in the margins.

Let me say that I am a profound hopeless romantic and I love sappy films and happy endings… in their right place. While I loved that the emphasis of the final chapter of SoT was on love, I can’t deny my disappointment in not knowing all the answers – which is ironically the thing so many fans of LOST were disappointed by and I WAS NOT. Loved the ending to LOST. Didn’t need all the answers. But there was SO MUCH emphasis on all those characters and relationships and so many deaths and loses and loves and reunions that it all felt earned. In SoT, it felt trite. And even more so in the margin notes…

I was rooting for Jen and Eric from Chapter 1. And the first margin note I saw that indicated that they met in real life made my heart flutter. I felt like I was falling in love all over again as I read their story. And wow was it so beautifully done. With the handwritten margin notes and the inserts – it felt SO real! I was truly hanging on their every word. And the mystery of reading it non-chronologically was fun, and those pieces did start to fall nicely into place… mostly. Until Chapter 10. With so many threats looming over them, it seemed too easy that they suddenly just ran away and were happy. Again – this is what I was rooting for! And I was desperately afraid in earlier chapters that one of them was going to die for all this… but I felt like it tied up too quickly, too easily. To me the final chapter of their notes didn’t even jive well with previous chapters because there were hardly any other notes from all the other times they passed it back and forth. Like it was just reserved for this happy ending.

I am as equally as frustrated with myself as I am with the book. Why am I not happy with a happy ending? It’s what I wanted… but like I said, it just didn’t feel earned. It felt trite, contrived, anti-climactic, and unearned.

I didn’t take the time to figure out the eotvos wheel. Wondering how much of the mystery I might have missed there? I’m looking around online right now… looks like there’s some different websites and twitter accounts that might be cannon… and of course fan pages are popping up. I’d like to look at a well put together wiki for it, but that doesn’t seem to exist yet. This page looks like it will have a lot: http://sfiles22.blogspot.com/ I find it sucking me back in… But I don’t really want to have to dig around on a bunch websites. I like that the book is a love-letter to the written word, and I want it to be self-contained. Let’s forget the viral stuff? I’m assuming any other cannon material is just for fun, not to really an answer to significant questions beyond what we can find in the primary material itself…

On a final note, I really did love the way the book is put together, printed, written. Dorst is a great writer – I couldn’t resist underlining some of the more beautifully written lines in SoT. Additionally, the mystery of it all and the multiple layers were incredibly fun. And the fact that Jen and Eric were English majors (and one was a grad student)? Great icing on the cake for me, a near perpetual grad student, English major and English teacher. :) ...more

So much love for this!!! Glad I read books 1 & 2 first. I know these issues can function as stand-alones, but it was better with Sandman's historySo much love for this!!! Glad I read books 1 & 2 first. I know these issues can function as stand-alones, but it was better with Sandman's history. I really enjoyed A Dream of 1000 cats. Very powerful. And of course the Shakespearean piece was a true delight!!! I do have a great love for Death though and enjoyed Facade. I don't know Element Girl; not familiar really with the DC World. But the conversation with Death - beautiful. Just beautiful. Could say so much more and already find myself wanting to re-read it'...more

Loving this world Gaiman has created. The doll's house concept on who's shaping "reality" was terrific. Love seeing the good side of Sandman. Was surpLoving this world Gaiman has created. The doll's house concept on who's shaping "reality" was terrific. Love seeing the good side of Sandman. Was surprised at how deceitful Desire was. Can't wait to see what happens next!...more

Really interesting to beginning to Gaiman's world of Sandman. Really loved the portrayal of Death. I hear the beginning of the series is the weakest pReally interesting to beginning to Gaiman's world of Sandman. Really loved the portrayal of Death. I hear the beginning of the series is the weakest part... can't wait to see what else is in store!...more

Wow, I can't believe I didn't write a review when I finished this book!! i read it in ONE day. I was absolutely captivated. It was so moving. ReadingWow, I can't believe I didn't write a review when I finished this book!! i read it in ONE day. I was absolutely captivated. It was so moving. Reading it was such a visceral experience. Morrison is amazing. The story, the way its weaved, the way its written. Absolutely beautiful. A true modern epic....more

I don't have much time to read for pleasure these days, so I got the audio book. What better way to read a oral history than to listen to it? The voicI don't have much time to read for pleasure these days, so I got the audio book. What better way to read a oral history than to listen to it? The voice actors were amazing! The book was intense with some great twists. Each narrative was unique and engaging. But when I finished it last night, I realized I just finished an ABRIDGED edition!! GRRR!!! I hate abridged books. To be honest, I don't even know why they exist. Who wouldn't want to listen to any book in its entirety?!? ...more

Brilliant, clever humor! Amazing how few words actually need to be changed to create a different story. I deeply love the original classic, and I hadBrilliant, clever humor! Amazing how few words actually need to be changed to create a different story. I deeply love the original classic, and I had a blast reading this revision! Wonderland was perfectly primed to be turned into Zombieland. From the revamped Tenniel sketches to the details of Alice's peculiar hunger, this book is quite entertaining. I would actually love to see it make it onto the big screen!...more

What a gift that my friend Emma recommended this to me!! A very beautiful story! The message behind it reminded me of the one in The Way of the PeacefWhat a gift that my friend Emma recommended this to me!! A very beautiful story! The message behind it reminded me of the one in The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, especially with the emphasis on the beauty and importance of Here and Now. "The trick was to know that his true nature lived, as perfect as an unwritten number, everywhere at once across space and time" (59). It's a great fable for living without limits and being true to ourselves: "We're free to go where we wish and to be WHAT we are" (77). "Don't believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you'll see the way to fly" (92). What a wonderful inspiration! And the images of the seagulls (both the photographs in the book and the ones you conjure as you read) are beautiful....more

Wow. So awesome to finally get Book's back story! I really enjoyed it. Don't want to spoil any Browncoats out there, so I'll just say it's a great reaWow. So awesome to finally get Book's back story! I really enjoyed it. Don't want to spoil any Browncoats out there, so I'll just say it's a great read....more

This is, hands down, one of the best books I read. It came to me at a time in my life when I really needed to read it. I don't want to give any spoileThis is, hands down, one of the best books I read. It came to me at a time in my life when I really needed to read it. I don't want to give any spoilers, but if you are interested at all in the path of peace and happiness, if you explore meditation, mindfulness, or any other related concepts... you will absolutely adore this book. Even if you haven't been attuned to these things before, this book would be a great introduction. I kept jotting down quotes while I was reading it, and I've already been re-reading those quotes. I know simply reading the book once is not going to absolutely change my life, but continuing to reflect on all the lessons and wisdom it contains is impacting me. I want to continue to carry these ideas in the forefront of my mind until they become ingrained in me. And I know that's where I will see real change. This book has helped me in clearing my mind and setting my mind on the right path. The most important piece of wisdom I gleaned from my first reading of this novel is that the path to tranquility/peace/warriorhood is not something you try and hope to get to. It's something you're on. Here. Now....more

I enjoyed the narrative style and I loved the scenario explored. It was fascinating, and I really love the notion that your eternal life doesn't startI enjoyed the narrative style and I loved the scenario explored. It was fascinating, and I really love the notion that your eternal life doesn't start when you die, but can start here and now if you let it. However, I was disappointed when Jesus explained to the narrator how all the other religions are "wrong." My personal take is that all religions have a piece of the pie and in some incomprehensible way all work together. I have deep respect for all religions, and I didn't like hearing the Eastern traditions ripped apart. I don't want to start a debate with any GoodReads friends that have other views; I respect your views too. This is just my two cents. :)...more

I was skeptical as I got to Book 2 of this 3-part final installment of the Twilight Series, but quickly realized how the change in narrator actually wI was skeptical as I got to Book 2 of this 3-part final installment of the Twilight Series, but quickly realized how the change in narrator actually worked. Some friends told me this was the best book in the series, and I agree. Others told me it was the worse, and I am curious what their disappointment was. It worked splendidly. It covered so much! I'm already wondering how it can possibly be made into only one film. I think it's funny how everyone either loves or hates this series. There seems to be no middle ground. I wonder why it spurns such animosity. No, it's not the next Shakespeare, and I don't think anyone should expect it to be. But, it's great and fun modern fiction that supplies great entertainment!!...more

I didn't feel like the first part of the book was quite as engaging as the other two books. (However, I can't deny that trying to read in the same rooI didn't feel like the first part of the book was quite as engaging as the other two books. (However, I can't deny that trying to read in the same room with Matt while he was watching "24" was quite the distraction.) When things picked up, they really picked up! I was hanging on every word. I enjoyed the honest conversation between Edward and Jacob that took place. I enjoyed getting to know both of their characters even better in this book. I don't want to drop big spoilers, so I'll just say that Ch 26, Ethics, made me cry, and the prologue left me really sad and really unsure about Bella's decision. I didn't see that reaction coming (from me, that is)....more

Yet another page turner! I'm totally sucked into Meyer's world (cheesy vampire pun intended). I really loved getting to know Jacob. I think he's a greYet another page turner! I'm totally sucked into Meyer's world (cheesy vampire pun intended). I really loved getting to know Jacob. I think he's a great character. I felt really sad for him at the end. I am mesmerized with the latest developments for Edward & Bella and can't wait to see how the saga continues!...more

I'm absolutely hooked. I don't remember the last time I devoured a book in less than 24 hours. This novel is just plain FUN. I've heard both sides froI'm absolutely hooked. I don't remember the last time I devoured a book in less than 24 hours. This novel is just plain FUN. I've heard both sides from the readers and it seems people either love it or hate it. I unequivocally loved it, in the same way I love the teeny-bopper shows on ABC Family. ;) Bella reminds Edward of what it is to be human. She reminds me of what it's like to be a 17 year old teenager. (I will say my 5 star rating is a sign of how much I enjoyed reading it. I do not mean to put it on the same level as Tolkien and Salinger. But, my enjoyment was 100%!!!!)...more